Chick-fil-A protesters plan Friday 'Kiss In' for gay rights (+video)

Chick-fil-A restaurants will see a different crowd of visitors Friday, as gay rights activists will participate in a national 'Kiss In' to protest the CEO's comments on gay marriage. Demonstrators are encouraged to go to Chick-Fil-A locations and kiss fellow participants of the same sex.

By
The Associated Press /
August 3, 2012

Same-Sex Kiss Day is scheduled for Friday at Chick-fil-A fast-food restaurants.

Gay rights activists and other supporters of marriage equality planned a national "Kiss In" at Chick-fil-A restaurants Friday to protest the fast-food chain owners' opposition to same-sex unions.

Participants are encouraged to come to the fast-food chains and kiss a fellow demonstrator of the same sex. One organizer, Carly McGehee of Dallas, said she hopes the event helps gay youths "who feel isolated and are victims of bullying."

"But he should meet and get to know the people that he's speaking out against - the people who are harmed by his company's multi-million dollar donations to anti-gay hate groups working to hurt everyday LGBT Americans and break apart loving families," Graddick said.

"LGBT" is an abbreviation for "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender."

The gatherings come two days after hundreds of thousands of customers, many of them conservative Christians, recognized "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" at more than 1,600 locations.

The company said in a statement the turnout Wednesday made for "an unprecedented day," although it says it doesn't release exact sales numbers.

"The Chick-fil-A culture and 66-year-old service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect - regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender," the statement said.